Whenever Apple does a new product launch they always ensure everyone knows how fantastic their latest device is. And they should, as they are after all a business that needs to sell devices in order to generate revenue. If you don’t “sell” the product, no one is going to buy it.

However, during the launch of the iPhone 5 last week Phil Schiller made the bold claim that Apple’s latest smartphone has the “world’s most advanced display.” That caused a bit of upset in the smartphone community, and in particular anyone who knew the details of the Nokia Lumia 920.

In fact, one forum poster on wpcentral has called Apple out on the claim, but he did so with the evidence to back it up. Forum user Gaichuke took the time to put together a comparison of the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 920 display, and the evidence does not favor Schiller’s comment.

We’ve included sections of the very large image comparison here (full version available at the link below), but here’s a run down of where the iPhone 5 display falls short compared to Nokia‘s:

Display resolution and PPI

iPhone 5: 1136 x 640 and 326PPI

Lumia 920: 1280 x 768 and 332PPI

Lumia 920 wins: 26% better resolution, 2% better PPI

Display size and technology

iPhone 5: 4-inch and LED IPS

Lumia 920: 4.5-inch and LED IPS

Lumia 920 wins if you view a bigger display as better

Display response time

iPhone 5: average 23 milliseconds

Lumia 920: average 9 milliseconds

Lumia 920 wins using PureMotion HD+ making it 2.5x faster

Gaichuke also points out that, even though there’s no data yet, the Lumia 920 will have much better outdoor legibility (like the Lumia 900 has) due to its use of Clear Black Display technology, which adds a polarizing layer between the touch and display panels to cut down of reflection. Combined with the 920’s higher brightness (600 nits compared to 569 nits in the iPhone 5), Gaichuke predicts 15% better legibility.

There’s also the touchscreen to consider, which on the Lumia 920 uses Synaptic’s super sensitive touch technology meaning it doesn’t require your bare fingertip to work. The display will react to touch through a glove, or you can choose some other implement to tap the screen with.

So Phil Schiller’s claim that the iPhone 5 display is the most advanced in the world apparently falls down in a number of areas, including resolution, PPI, size, response time, refresh rate, sensitivity, brightness, reflectance, and legibility (especially outdoors). But to be fair to Schiller, he wasn’t talking about such things when he made the claim. He instead focused on color saturation and the integrated touch, but those two features alone do not earn the iPhone that title.

How these stats hold up in terms of real-world use remains to be seen as both phones have yet to hit the market. However, unless Apple knows something the display specs don’t show, the statement last week doesn’t seem to hold up under scrutiny.

Reader Comments

Not a fair comparison as iPhone 5 is out in the market whereas Nokia’s Lumia 920 has not been launched.

Apple can always claim that their statement was based on competition at launch date and it’s a fair statement.

It’s all about delivering the product into the hands of the consumer and Nokia is (sadly) way behind Apple, Samsung in this aspect.

Joe Gilbert

The article was published before the iPhone 5 was released, so it WAS a comparison of phones not yet released! Check your dates people.

Joe Gilbert

I have seen no one state that

Joe Gilbert

Every person I’ve known have a Windows Phone has ditched them rather quickly. The lack of apps is going to bite them in the butt rather quickly.

lamorpa

“And yet the iPhone 5 sold more units in 1 hour of prebuys then the 920 will in its lifecycle…”
Then the 920 will in its lifecyclle what? Why would the iPhone 5 sell more units in 1 hour of prebuys, and then later the 920 will in its lifecycle (something). I would think you were asserting that the iPhone 5 sold more units in 1 hour of prebuys thAn the 920 will in its lifecycle. (than (conjunction) Introducing the second element in a comparison)

“Conclusions: An Impressive iPhone 5 Display………………….Based on our extensive Lab measurements the iPhone 5 has a true state-of-the-art accurate display – it’s not perfect and there is plenty of room for improvements (and competitors) but it is the best Smartphone display we have seen to date based on extensive Lab measurements and viewing tests…………”

Toni F

Apple doesn’t have squat without Samsung, until Apple can manufacture their own processors, they will always be Samsung’s bitch!

http://twitter.com/de7_ Derek De Souza

Nokia Lumia 920 is currently the best phone the market has to offer! Nokia is coming back in the game, so is Microsoft! Happy times for me. Cannot wait till I get my Lumia 920

Anymous

You nerds and geeks are missing out on color gamut and color accuracy …on a mobile device lol. Go ponder about it. Making a screen with good color accuracy is not easy compared to just making it faster and bigger mind you. so called nerds and geeks… you are missing out on the biggest part of display technology – the colors displayed duh.

maestrochiller

That is not true, the phone isn’t out yet, but the display exists in reality so it is lies